When we compared people who watch less than two hours of television per day, people who watch more than four hours a day had a 46 percent higher risk of death from all causes and an 80 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

The average person in the US watches 5 hours of TV a day.

Other studies suggest that sitting down and resting burns as many calories as we do when we’re sleeping. This detriment to our health while sitting down comes from a lack of muscle contraction, which affects bodily process. Similar effects are found when reading and sitting down in front of a computer.

The amount of movement required to counteract the effects of this sedentary lifestyle are subject to further research. In the mean time, researchers suggest we take advantage of commercial breaks and breaks during TV shows to stand up and move around.